Sulfur gases released to the atmosphere by fossil fuel combustion impact the chemistry and acidity of aerosols. In particular, the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the atmosphere is enhanced by the presence of sulfuric acid. The resulting sulfate esters are significant contributors to aerosol mass, yet their structures, abundances, and formation processes are not well understood. Laboratory and field studies have emphasized the importance of biogenic gases, such as isoprene, as precursors to SOA. In this study, aromatic sulfate esters are identified and quantified atmospheric aerosols for the first time. Samples across the Midwestern United States and South Asia demonstrate their ubiquity. With chemical structure reflective of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOC), aromatic sulfate esters may be important tracers for anthropogenic SOA.

Aromatic sulfate esters in ambient aerosols

245th National Meeting (2013)

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